Family Attributes Man's Suicide to Changes in Disability Assistance Program

The family of Scott Ganley, who recently died by suicide, has stated that changes to Alberta's disability assistance programs significantly affected his mental health. Specifically, they attribute part of the distress he experienced to the transition from the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program to the newly implemented Alberta Disability Assistance Program. This transition has generated considerable uncertainty among recipients of disability assistance in the province, leading to increased anxiety and fear about the adequacy of support. Ganley's family argues that the lack of clear communication regarding the changes exacerbated his existing challenges, contributing to a tragic outcome. The situation underlines the critical nature of providing stable and predictable support systems for individuals living with disabilities and raises questions about how policy alterations can impact mental health.